Navy football notes: Sanders stepping up as punt returner

DeBrandon Sanders

AP Photo/Matt Strasen

Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) funs upfield for a touchdown in the second half during the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, in Fort Worth. Navy won 24-6.

Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) funs upfield for a touchdown in the second half during the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game, Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, in Fort Worth. Navy won 24-6. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen)

DeBrandon Sanders showed last season he could be a playmaker, ranking second on the team with 563 yards from scrimmage. The lightning-quick slotback was a threat running with the pitchout or catching the ball out of the backfield in averaging 10.2 yards every time he touched the ball.

It appears that Sanders will now have another way to impact the game as he's currently listed as the top punt returner. Navy needed to find a replacement for Shawn Lynch and Sanders has beaten out safety Parrish Gaines and cornerback Brendon Clements for the role.

Sanders has some shake and wiggle, displaying the ability to juke defenders with lightning-quick cuts or change-of-direction moves. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo agreed the speedy 5-foot-5, 163-pound junior could be a game-breaker as a return man, but said he would be happy if the player nicknamed "Bug" simply did not muff any punts.

"First and foremost he's got to be able to catch the ball. That's always the primary thing for us. Yes, we'd like to have someone who can take it to the house, but the No. 1 job is to make sure you catch the football," Niumatalolo said.

That being said, the coaching staff is comfortable with Sanders returning punts because he was sure-handed last season while recording a team-high 13 catches and carrying the ball 42 times.

"One thing that helps give you some relief is that he's one of our better football players," Niumatalo said. "But until he catches the first one safely against Ohio State it's a worry."

Sanders returned punts Leflore County High in Itta Bena, Mississippi and said he enjoys doing so. While the smallest player on the team, Sanders is fearless and is not worried about fielding punts with opposing tacklers running full-speed downfield with intent on hitting him.

"It's definitely a mental thing. You just have to clear your mind and really focus before you field the punt," he said. "I love the opportunity to be a game-changer. I had some big punt returns in high school and hopefully I can do that on the college level as well and help my team in a big way."

While the punt and kickoff returners along with the punter and placekicker are the most identifiable members of the special teams, there are many other players that determine whether or not the units are successful.

Seven slotbacks will travel and all will be involved with special teams in some way. In addition to Sanders, Demond Brown is the kickoff returner while Toneo Gulley will be on several units. Three fullbacks – Quinton Singleton, Shawn White and Quentin Ezell – will all likely be contributors to the punt coverage, punt return, kickoff coverage and kickoff return units.

While playing at the University of Hawaii, Niumatalolo recalled that head coach Bob Wagner and defensive coordinator Dick Tomey were aggressive on special teams in terms of going after blocks.

"I'm a little bit more on the conservative side. If people try to fake punts on us, we're sound. If they try to onside kick, we're ready. No dropped punts, no penalties," Niumatalolo said. "My approach is to just be super sound on special teams. I don't want to lose the game on special teams."

MILLER REACTION: Niumatalolo was asked after practice on Tuesday about the news that Ohio State starting quarterback Braxton Miller suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Monday.

"I feel for the kid and his family. If you're involved in this game, you recognize how hard it is, the time and dedication these young people put into it," he said. "(Miller) just had surgery in February so you know all the rehab, the countless hours he spent in the training room. You just feel for the kid. He's a competitor, a heck of a football player and we wish him a speedy recovery."

Ohio State is now expected to start redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett in the Aug. 30 season opener against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Barrett sat out last season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered as a senior at Rider High in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Some observers believe the Miller injury gives Navy a better chance to upset fifth-ranked Ohio State. Niumatalolo said it will take a monumental effort regardless of the change at quarterback.

"That's still a great football team. It's an unbelievable program. It's still going to be a hard, hard game for us to win. Braxton Miller is a great player, but they have a lot of other great players," he said.

DEPTH CHART CHANGES: Navy issued an updated depth chart on Monday and there were only a handful of changes.

On offense, the only new name was freshman Evan Martin, who replaced sophomore Adam West as the third string right guard. Martin, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound product of Lee's Summit, Missouri, was considered by the coaching staff to be one of Navy's top direct-entry recruits and is the son of a former NFL player. Steven Martin played nine seasons as a defensive tackle for seven teams.

Most of the changes came on defense with the much-discussed inside linebacker position undergoing more shakeup. Senior Maika Polamalu has regained the backup job at SAM after rejoining the team following a one-week retirement due to medical concerns. Sophomore Ryan Harris is running third at that spot with senior Joe Worth falling off the depth.

Junior Tyler Goble is now No. 3 at MIKE with junior Don Pearson falling off the depth. Pearson had entered preseason camp as the starter.

Last week, freshman Kevin McCoy (6-4, 205) earned a spot on the depth chart as the third stringer at the outside linebacker position known as Striker. This week, fellow plebe D.J. Palmore (6-3, 235) is listed No. 3 at the outside linebacker position known as Raider, supplanting sophomore Mike Kelly.

Senior Shakir Robinson is no longer listed No. 3 at free safety. Junior Lorentez Barbour is No. 2 behind Parrish Gaines at that spot. Meanwhile, junior Kwazel Bertrand and senior George Jamison remain even atop the depth at Rover. Senior Lonnie Richardson is third string at both safety positions.

INJURY REPORT: Slotback Dishan Romine was spotted at practice wearing a walking boot on his right foot and head coach Ken Niumatalolo said the speedy sophomore has suffered an ankle injury.

Romine, who had been a breakout performer during preseason practice, is in danger of missing the Aug. 30 season opener against Ohio State. The Louisville (KY) native ran the fastest 40-yard dash time (4.4 range) of any Navy football player during spring testing.

"It's an ankle deal. Hopefully, he'll work his butt off in the training room and find a way to get back," Niumatalolo said when asked about Romine's injury. "He's been having a great camp. He's the fastest kid on our team. You hate to lose a guy that has some wheels like that."

Romine was no longer wearing the walking boot during Thursday's practice and slotbacks coach Danny O'Rourke was still hopeful he could dress for the opener.

SCOUT TEAM SET: One of the most difficult days for college football coaches comes when the scout teams are set after training camp. Those players that made the depth chart are happy while those that didn't are upset.

It is inevitable that being sent to the scout team will prompt some players to retire as the time commitment involved with being part of the varsity football team is immense. Showing up every day for meetings and practice just to give the front line offense and defense a look takes a ton of selflessness.

"It's a tough time. You have a lot of long faces. This is a time when you try to help guys to stay encouraged and keep fighting because it's not easy. Nobody wants to be on the scout team. Everybody wants to play. Right now, guys have to put aside their deal for the good of the team," Niumatalolo said.

By far the most notable retirement involved nose guard Cam Henson, who has been third on the depth chart behind starter Bernie Sarra and backup Patrick Forrestal. Henson has been sidelined by an injury and sophomore Rob Dusz is now No. 3 on the depth chart issued on Monday.

"It's tough to play Division I football and it's tough to go to school here. So if you're not seeing any fruits of your labor, it's tough to stick it out," Niumatalolo said.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "With the opponent coming in, it's hard to feel good about anything. You wonder if your preparation is right – whether we're hitting too much or not hitting enough. Do we need to run more or run less? When you play an opponent the caliber of this, everything comes under the microscope and you scrutinize what you do."

-Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo when asked about Navy's progress in preparation for the season opener against Ohio State.